Everyday Actions
More verbs for daily routines, communication, and interaction
Overview
25 essential verbs for describing everyday actions — extending your ability to talk about what you and others do.
Words
add /æd/
verb — A1
Meaning: to put something together with something else
Examples:
- Add some salt to the soup.
- Can I add you on social media?
Collocations: add up, add to, add on, add together
Word Family: add (v.) → addition (n.) → additional (adj.)
become /bɪˈkʌm/
verb — A1
Meaning: to begin to be something; to grow into
Examples:
- She wants to become a lawyer.
- It’s becoming colder outside.
Collocations: become aware, become popular, become clear
build /bɪld/
verb — A1
Meaning: to make something by putting parts together
Examples:
- They’re building a new hospital.
- He built the bookshelf himself.
Collocations: build a house, build up, build on
Word Family: build (v.) → builder (n.) → building (n.)
carry /ˈkæri/
verb — A1
Meaning: to hold something and take it somewhere
Examples:
- Can you carry this bag for me?
- She carried the baby in her arms.
Collocations: carry out, carry on, carry weight
check /tʃek/
verb, noun — A1
Meaning: to look at something to see if it is correct or safe
Examples:
- Check your answers before you submit.
- I need to check my email.
Collocations: check in, check out, double-check, check up
choose /tʃuːz/
verb — A1
Meaning: to decide which thing you want
Examples:
- You can choose any colour you like.
- She chose the red dress.
Collocations: choose between, choose from, choose to
Word Family: choose (v.) → choice (n.)
clean /kliːn/
verb, adjective — A1
Meaning: (v.) to remove dirt; (adj.) free from dirt
Examples:
- I need to clean the kitchen.
- The room is very clean.
Collocations: clean up, clean out, keep clean
Word Family: clean (v./adj.) → cleaner (n.) → cleaning (n.)
compare /kəmˈpeər/
verb — A1
Meaning: to look at two things to see how they are similar or different
Examples:
- Let’s compare prices before we buy.
- You can’t compare the two — they’re very different.
Collocations: compare with, compare to, compared to
Word Family: compare (v.) → comparison (n.)
complete /kəmˈpliːt/
verb, adjective — A1
Meaning: (v.) to finish; (adj.) whole; with nothing missing
Examples:
- Please complete the form.
- The project is now complete.
Collocations: complete a task, complete set, completely
Word Family: complete (v./adj.) → completely (adv.) → completion (n.)
count /kaʊnt/
verb — A1
Meaning: to say numbers in order; to calculate the total
Examples:
- Can you count to ten in French?
- She counted the money carefully.
Collocations: count on, count down, lose count
create /kriˈeɪt/
verb — A1
Meaning: to make something new
Examples:
- The company creates apps for phones.
- She created a beautiful garden.
Collocations: create a problem, create an account, create opportunities
Word Family: create (v.) → creation (n.) → creative (adj.) → creativity (n.)
cut /kʌt/
verb — A1
Meaning: to use a sharp object to divide or remove
Examples:
- Cut the bread into slices.
- She cut her finger while cooking.
Collocations: cut down, cut off, cut out, short cut
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/
verb — A1
Meaning: to think about options and choose one
Examples:
- I can’t decide what to wear.
- They decided to move to a bigger house.
Collocations: decide to, decide on, decide against
Word Family: decide (v.) → decision (n.)
draw /drɔː/
verb — A1
Meaning: to make a picture with a pencil or pen
Examples:
- She likes to draw animals.
- He drew a map on the paper.
Collocations: draw a picture, draw attention, draw a line
Word Family: draw (v.) → drawing (n.)
fall /fɔːl/
verb — A1
Meaning: to drop down towards the ground
Examples:
- Be careful — don’t fall!
- Leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
Collocations: fall down, fall asleep, fall in love, fall over
feel /fiːl/
verb — A1
Meaning: to experience an emotion or physical sensation
Examples:
- I feel happy today.
- The water feels cold.
Collocations: feel like, feel good, feel sorry, feel free
Word Family: feel (v.) → feeling (n.)
find /faɪnd/
verb — A1
Meaning: to discover something; to get something after looking
Examples:
- I can’t find my keys.
- She found a great restaurant.
Collocations: find out, find it difficult, find a way
follow /ˈfɒləʊ/
verb — A1
Meaning: to go behind someone; to obey rules
Examples:
- Follow me — I’ll show you the way.
- Please follow the instructions.
Collocations: follow someone, follow the rules, follow up
Word Family: follow (v.) → follower (n.) → following (adj.)
grow /ɡrəʊ/
verb — A1
Meaning: to increase in size; to develop
Examples:
- Children grow up so fast.
- She grows vegetables in her garden.
Collocations: grow up, grow old, grow flowers
Word Family: grow (v.) → growth (n.) → growing (adj.)
happen /ˈhæpən/
verb — A1
Meaning: to take place; to occur
Examples:
- What happened yesterday?
- Accidents happen all the time.
Collocations: happen to, what happened, happen again
hear /hɪər/
verb — A1
Meaning: to notice sounds with your ears
Examples:
- Can you hear the music?
- I heard someone knocking on the door.
Collocations: hear about, hear from, hear of
Word Family: hear (v.) → hearing (n.)
kill /kɪl/
verb — A1
Meaning: to cause someone or something to die
Examples:
- The frost killed the plants.
- He was killed in a car accident.
Collocations: kill time, killed in action
Word Family: kill (v.) → killer (n.) → killing (n.)
laugh /lɑːf/
verb, noun — A1
Meaning: to make sounds showing you think something is funny
Examples:
- The children were laughing at the clown.
- She has a beautiful laugh.
Collocations: laugh at, laugh out loud, have a laugh
Word Family: laugh (v./n.) → laughter (n.)
lose /luːz/
verb — A1
Meaning: to not be able to find; to not win
Examples:
- Don’t lose your ticket.
- We lost the game 2-1.
Collocations: lose weight, lose track, lose interest
Word Family: lose (v.) → loser (n.) → loss (n.) → lost (adj.)
pull /pʊl/
verb — A1
Meaning: to move something towards you or in your direction
Examples:
- Pull the door to open it.
- She pulled his arm gently.
Collocations: pull out, pull up, pull over, pull together
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| add | v. | put together |
| become | v. | begin to be |
| build | v. | construct |
| carry | v. | hold and move |
| check | v./n. | verify |
| choose | v. | select |
| clean | v./adj. | remove dirt; spotless |
| compare | v. | examine similarities |
| complete | v./adj. | finish; whole |
| count | v. | calculate total |
| create | v. | make new |
| cut | v. | divide with blade |
| decide | v. | make a choice |
| draw | v. | make a picture |
| fall | v. | drop down |
| feel | v. | experience emotion |
| find | v. | discover |
| follow | v. | go behind; obey |
| grow | v. | increase; develop |
| happen | v. | take place |
| hear | v. | notice sounds |
| kill | v. | cause to die |
| laugh | v./n. | express amusement |
| lose | v. | misplace; not win |
| pull | v. | move towards you |